Main Navigation

You are here:

Quality Measures

Cancer Care

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is commonly used in patients with cancer that has spread to the bone as a method to control pain with few side effects. Evidence has shown that short-term radiation treatment can have similar pain relief outcomes to long course treatment. The measure below shows how often patients receive the recommended EBRT radiation treatment.

Timely & Effective Cancer Care

Percentage of patients receiving appropriate radiation therapy for cancer that has spread to the bone

Abington Hospital

87%

Abington – Lansdale Hospital

Not Available *

Pennsylvania Average

88% **

National Average

82% **

Higher percentages are better.

What It Is and Why It Is Important

In patients with certain types of cancer, it is more likely for their cancer to spread to the bone. Cancer in the bone causes pain and disability.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is a common therapy to control pain, with few side effects, for patients with cancer spread to the bone.

Evidence has shown that short-term use of EBRT can have similar pain relief outcomes to longer-term use of this therapy, and is efficient, cost effective, and preferred by many patients.

For all patients with bone cancer regardless of age, this measure shows how often they receive the recommended EBRT radiation treatment. Appropriate use of EBRT prevents unnecessary exposure to radiation and decreases the frequency and severity of side effects.

Data Collection period: 1/1/2016 – 12/31/2016

footnotes:*Results are not available for this reporting period.** State and national averages do not include VHA hospital data.

Source: The information was provided from Hospital Compare, a quality tool developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. You may use the information in Hospital Compare together with the other information you gather about hospitals as you decide where to get hospital services. You may want to contact your health care provider, your State Survey Agency or your state Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for more information. If you have a complaint about the quality of the medical care you or a loved one received at a hospital, first contact the hospital's patient advocate. Or, contact your state QIO. If you have other complaints about a health care facility, contact your State Survey Agency. Additional information about hospitals may be found on the state websites.